Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-08-26
INDIAN RIDERS.
Great Fents IN Horsemanship-
Scenes I'm an Indian Camp.


In letter from Chief Fridays camp
Gen. Brisbin writes: Here we saw
many curious scenes and learned much
of Indian life. One day Friday said to
me he would Ike to show of his young
men and let me see how well they
could ride. At first / expected some
treachery. as the whole herd of ponies
was still in the hands Of the troops.
The old chief, however, was so earnest
and apparently honest about it told
the captain who had the herd in charge,
he might let Friday have fifty ponies
for his yoeng men In about an hour
they drew up before the tents in
war paint and feathers, and were as
fine set Of young fellows as had ever
seen. Hardly one but was six feet in
height and beautifully proportioned
They sat their horses like oentaurs and
were ease and grace in the saddle. At
signal from the chief they began their
movements with yell that sent the
blood curdling to the heart and was
enough. If heard unawares or in the
night time. TO make ones hair stand on
end. In moment they had disappear
ed over a neighboring hill to the right
and thought they had gone. but,
hearing mighty trampling Of horses,
looked TO the left and there they
came. can compare It to nothing but
the wind. and they swept by so swift
and compact that they looked like
ball of horses and men. Splitting in
two. one body swept to the right and
another to the left and again disappear
ed. In about two minutes the two bod
les charged each other in solid lines,
and | waited almost breathlessly for the
shock. but as the horses heads almost
touched each other the files skllfully
opened to the right and left and tho
lines passed through the invervsls with
out touching. Wheeling to the right
about they passed back in an in
slant and again disappeared over
the hills. 1t was about fifteen min
utes before they came in sight and
Friday informed me they werc blowing
their horses. Presently on thew come
and wheeled by tours, formed columns,
broke by tours, and finally deployed
as skirmishers. 1t was now we saw
the finest individual horsemsnship.
Some would approach lying so close to
the pony's back nothing but the horse
could be seen. Others stood up and
rode RS circus men do. Some would
hang with one foot and one hand on
the horses and sweep by. their bodies
completely protected by the bodies Of
the animals. Some leaped upon the
ground holding TO the names of the
horses, and after running step or two
would swing themselves up on the
backs of the horses again as easily as
any circusman could do 1t. The posi-
tions they assumed and the feats of
Workmanship which they performed
were incredible, and ] doubt # any
thing outs de of a circus ring ever
equaled it They would throw objects
on the ground and pick them up again
while passing at full speed. the war
riors hanging to the sides Of the horses
with one foot and one hand. They
drew bows and shot arrows from I'M
derneath the necks and even bellies Of
the horses while riding at a fast gailop.
Our cavalry could not learn TO ride as
well as these Indians did if each man
was trained for twenty years They ex-
changed horses while riding, and got
behind each other One man would
fall off his horse as II wounded, and two
others would ride up beside him. and.
taking him by an arm and leg, swing
him between their horses and carry
him off The exhibition, or drill. rs
FRIDAY called il, lasted nearly two
hours and the men and horses were
completely exhausted. / had never
seen such magnificent feats Of horse
manship in my life. and | freely said
so. At this Friday was much pleased,
and calling up the young men repeated
TO them in loud voice what l had
said and added few words Of his own,
complimenting them. The young men
were very proud Of the manner in
which they had acquitted themselves,
and / could imagine the feelings of
their parents and sweethearts. The
performers were much worn out some
of them being hardly able to stand af-
ter their violent exercise. and oil even.
ing / saw them laying in the lodges,
where the Indian women brought them
food and water, bathcd their hands,
arms, and limbs, and combed their
hair.